G1 Climax 25

[Jacob Fox]

I'm pulling for Nakamura, too.

Aaand, as much as I love AJ, I don't want him to win.

And for all we know, Tanahashi might end up winning this tourney as well. Why? Because if they're looking to pass the torch, then the classic ME of WK10 will be Okada vs Tana.

I hadn't thought about Tanahashi, but that's a good point. Tanahashi wrestled that first G1 match like it was the final match and I assume he's going to do most of them that way too. Okada vs Tanahashi at WK10 actually makes some sense story line wise. It was Okada's loss at WK9 that started his character into that depression where he kept losing matches to Bad Luck Fale. He overcame Styles, of course, but facing Tanahashi at WK10 could be a huge passing the torch moment like you mentioned.

 

[Prince Bálor]

I hadn't thought about Tanahashi, but that's a good point. Tanahashi wrestled that first G1 match like it was the final match and I assume he's going to do most of them that way too. Okada vs Tanahashi at WK10 actually makes some sense story line wise. It was Okada's loss at WK9 that started his character into that depression where he kept losing matches to Bad Luck Fale. He overcame Styles, of course, but facing Tanahashi at WK10 could be a huge passing the torch moment like you mentioned.

You know, I must've had my head all up in my ass when I was getting mad at NJPW for downgrading Tanahashi and making him work with Toru Yano for the better part of this year.

Thankfully, I've realized the only reason it was done was because he needed to be freshened up, and having a feud with Yano allowed him to work a lighter schedule (multiple tag matches and such), so that he could give his heart and soul into G1 matches, a la that match with Ibushi.

Whatever we get for the ME of WK10, whether it's Nakamura vs Okada or Tana vs Okada, it's perfectly cool by me. Although I'd prefer Nakamura/Okada just a bit.

 

[Jacob Fox]

Pretty disappointed with today's showing as a whole. Was pretty surprised that

Spoiler

Nakamura lost his first match. Elgin and Okada didn't mesh at all

 

[Roi]

The fixed camera and no commentators didnt allow me to enjoy the show as much as I thought I would.

I really dont know who I want to win this year's tournament. Well, I know, Okada and Shibata. But that shit ain't happenin.

WK 10 Possible Scenarios would be

Okada vs. Tanahashi : Which makes sense storywise but I believe Okada should be the challenger and Tana the champ. Not the other way round so I think they're saving that for WK 11

Okada vs. Nakamura: But I just dont understand why would they "give away" the match at the B Block. I believe they are going for a 30 min draw. Naka and Okada are 1-1 so with the draw it would be 1-1-1 which means that the match at the Dome would be a tie breaker.

Okada vs. Styles: I've seen this so many times plus Styles cannot be the first gaijin that wins the tournament. That spot is saved for Tama FN Tonga.

Okada vs. Ibushi: Fresh

Okada vs. Goto: Champ vs. Champ

Okada vs. MiSu: Who comes back, fucks up the finals and beats the shit out of everyone at the crowd so he rightfully earns a shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship because, ya know, he's GOD (And NOAH's Champ, and savior, and everyone. Fuck, MiSu just rules.)

 

[Leo C]

I enjoyed the show. All the G1 matches were fun imo.

 

[Jacob Fox]

While watching the Styles vs Yano match, someone on New Japan World posted this:

"Poor red shoes ref. He's more a part of this match than he wants to be."

 

[Stopspot]

Yano vs AJ was the most fun tournament match so far. All tournament matches have been better than expected so far today. I thought Makabe vs Fale was going to be a complete trainwreck.

 

[Jacob Fox]

Yano vs AJ was the most fun tournament match so far. All tournament matches have been better than expected so far today. I thought Makabe vs Fale was going to be a complete trainwreck.

I agree, Yano vs AJ was pretty enjoyable.

All in all, I think today's show was a all around enjoyable one. I don't really have any complaints

 

[Prince Bálor]

Welp, looks like I'll be skipping Day 2 of G1.

Thanks to Rain and Jacob for the heads-up.
Even if I did bother checking it out, the fixed camera and no commentary would really be taking away from the show and I wouldn't be able to enjoy it.
So, thanks, but no thanks.

Also, Swagsuke losing the first match is unacceptable.

Going to watch day 3 tomorrow.

 

[Leo C]

Very fun show. Main event was pretty awesome, post match was cool too.

 

[Prince Bálor]

Skipped Day 2 because of the fixed camera and no commentary.
Plus, I wasn't gonna watch Nakamura lose his first G1 match, which was the ME, no less.

Sooo, Day 3...
It was kinda weird watching it without commentary, but at least the show had multiple cameras which could get me into the matches.

- Ibushi vs Doc was a solid show opener. All I can say is, the right guy won.

- BLF vs Makabe was meh, I couldn't get into it. It felt like the match went on for 2 hours. It was just slow and boring.

- I had fun watching AJ vs Yano. 10 mins of good comedy and action well spent.

- Shibata vs Naito was a stellar contest.
Also, Naito coming out in a suit and wearing that mask... DAMN! So awesome, El Ingobernable Naito is money!

- Tanahashi vs Tenzan was another stellar match and they ended the show on a high note.

All in all, it was a fun show. The last 3 matches on the card were definitely highlight of the night.

 

[Jacob Fox]

I'm not sure why I've never really noticed this before but why are the count out counts in English rather than Japanese?

 

[Leo C]

Anderson winning with another Gun Stun from outta nowhere was surprising. Nagata/Nakamura was pretty good. Okada/Honma was great, Honma is the best underdog ever.

 

[Jacob Fox]

This was a good day for the tournament. I'm going to put my thoughts in a spoiler tag just to be safe though.

Spoiler

The tag matches have consistently been good, if meaningless so not much to mention there.
Iishi vs Takahashi was pretty dull, in my view. I honestly phased out a few times.

Kojima vs Elgin was.a good match. I'm not the biggest Elgin fan but he worked a lot better with Kojima than he had with Okada. I enjoy Kojima's offense a lot.

Goto vs Anderson was decent, it had some really good moments.

Nagata vs Nakamura was a very solid encounter and I enjoyed the whole match. It was nice that Nakamura picked up the win.

Okada vs Honma was great. Both guys put on a great effort and this was just a big improvement over Okada's match with Elgin. 2 and 0!

 

[Jacob Fox]

Anderson winning with another Gun Stun from outta nowhere was surprising. Nagata/Nakamura was pretty good. Okada/Honma was great, Honma is the best underdog ever.

With Honma's work and the crowd cheering him on, it really added a lot to that match.